By Felipe V. Celino
PRES. ROXAS, Capiz — Mayor Receliste Escolin of President Roxas town in Capiz province returned to office on Monday, May 13, after a three-month suspension.
Following the traditional flag-raising ceremony, Escolin convened an executive meeting.
He was suspended for three months by the Office of the Ombudsman on Feb. 12, 2024, after being found guilty of simple misconduct related to unauthorized travel to Manila, a case filed against him by former Vice Mayor Alfonso Locsin Golero in 2017.
The more serious charges of grave abuse of authority and grave misconduct were dismissed.
Escolin noted that this case was one of 22 filed by Golero, most of which have been dismissed.
His Omnibus Motion for Reconsideration, which requests a stay on the Ombudsman’s implementation order, is pending. Escolin argues that a three-month suspension without pay is excessively harsh for a first offense of simple misconduct.
In a social media post, Escolin apologized to the residents for his absence.
During his suspension, Vice Mayor Braulio Godfrey Asis assumed mayoral duties.
Now in his final term, Escolin affirmed his commitment to addressing the town’s water and garbage issues.
